WILDLIFE

OUR RESULTS

Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus), Salonga National Park

WILDLIFE

Biomonitoring of large mammals

Over the past year, biomonitoring of large mammals continued in Salonga National Park, with 24 camera traps installed in 3 sites capturing 12,235 images confirming the presence of forest elephants, bongo, leopard, hippopotamus and buffalo. This effort contributes to our knowledge of species distribution, and to identifying areas of high conservation interest, which information is then used to improve Park management planning.

Ongoing monitoring of two bonobo families resident in community forests in Malebo, Mai Ndombe province indicated that the population is stable, and that the forest ecosystem remains intact, and comparable to 2016 baseline conditions. Habituation of the bonobos continues, with additional precautions taken by trackers due to the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure that the virus could not be transmitted to the bonobos. The population size and distribution of forest elephants in the community forests was also surveyed and found to be stable.

Community monitors patrol the 6 community forest concessions at the Malebo site, to control illegal activities, remove traps and document evidence of hunting. The 63 members of the community patrol team, all from the 7 villages surrounding the community forests, were trained on relevant aspects, including the monitoring of hunting, habitat degradation, and ethics related to their mission. Over the past year, 63 patrollers removed 128 traps in the 6 concessions, and collected 186 cartridge cases. To determine the impact of hunting in community forests, a study was carried out on the level of hunting and consumption of bushmeat in the local villages, most commonly used hunting methods, and the relative dependence of local residents on bushmeat. The study will be used to develop a

methodology that can be used by communities to monitor large mammals.

Patrols in Ngiri, Lac Tumba-Mai Ndombe landscape, seized 26 traps and destroyed 9 poaching camps. The data from both Malebo and Ngiri indicate the extent of poaching in the reserves and community forests, and can be used to inform awareness-raising activities with local populations on the need to preserve conservation targets such as the bonobo.

Capacity building of law enforcement agencies

The Attorney General for Kinshasa is one of the champions working with WWF-DRC to raise the awareness of judicial officers and inspectors on wildlife law enforcement. An alert system for poaching and related law enforcement efforts, and a database with details of arrests and seizures have been developed which will improve tracking of illegal wildlife trade activity. In June 2021, a workshop for ICCN staff, police, and judicial authorities was held focused on the following themes: the legal framework for wildlife in the DRC; wildlife offenses, criminal procedure and the role of justice; the illegal trade in elephant products in the DRC; how to produce evidence in court; current conservation challenges: new approaches and strategies to combat wildlife crime; corruption: a catalyst for poaching and trafficking in wildlife; and techniques for identifying wildlife products: the case of ivory and pangolin scales.